Code Charm Containing Cryptic Message Only Readable When Spun

ABSTRACT

A code charm contains a cryptic message only readable when spun. The code charm includes a semi-circular frame, a rod extending between opposite sides of the semi-circular frame, and a rotatable disc comprising a diametrical channel in which the rod is received. The rotatable disc is rotatable about an axis defined by the rod. Each side of the rotatable disc includes one or more symbols representing a portion of the cryptic message. When the rotatable disc is spun about the axis, for a person viewing the spinning rotatable disc, the symbols are superimposed together allowing for discerning of the cryptic message.

COPYRIGHT STATEMENT

All of the material in this patent document is subject to copyright protection under the copyright laws of the United States and other countries. The copyright owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in official governmental records but, otherwise, all other copyright rights whatsoever are reserved.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a charm.

There exist a wide variety of charms. Many of these include a word, logo, symbol, or image displayed or etched thereon. A need exists for improvement in charms. This need and other needs are addressed by one or more aspects of the present invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention includes many aspects and features. Moreover, while many aspects and features relate to, and are described in a particular context, the present invention is not limited to use only in this context, as will become apparent from the following summaries and detailed descriptions of aspects, features, and one or more embodiments of the present invention.

Accordingly, one aspect of the present invention relates to a code charm containing a cryptic message only readable when spun. The code charm includes a semi-circular frame; a rod extending between opposite sides of the semi-circular frame; and a rotatable disc comprising a diametrical channel in which the rod is received, the rotatable disc being rotatable about an axis defined by the rod. The rotatable disc comprises a first side including first one or more symbols representing a first portion of the cryptic message, and a second side including second one or more symbols representing a second portion of the cryptic message, wherein when the rotatable disc is spun about the axis, for a person viewing the spinning rotatable disc, the first one or more symbols and the second one or more symbols are superimposed together allowing for discerning of the cryptic message.

In a feature of this aspect, the rotatable disc comprises metal.

In a feature of this aspect, the rotatable disc comprises a precious metal.

In a feature of this aspect, the rotatable disc comprises gold.

In a feature of this aspect, the rotatable disc comprises platinum.

In a feature of this aspect, the rotatable disc comprises silver.

In a feature of this aspect, the rotatable disc comprises aluminum.

In a feature of this aspect, one of the first one or more symbols comprises a gem inset therein.

In a feature of this aspect, the first one or more symbols are etched.

In a feature of this aspect, the first one or more symbols are engraved.

Another aspect relates to a code charm containing a cryptic message only readable when spun. The code charm includes a frame; a rod extending between opposite sides of the frame; a rotatable element comprising a diametrical channel in which the rod is received, the rotatable element being rotatable about an axis defined by the rod. The rotatable element comprises a plurality of sides each including one or more symbols representing a portion of the cryptic message, wherein when the rotatable element is spun about the axis, for a person viewing the spinning rotatable element, the symbols are superimposed together allowing for discerning of the cryptic message.

In addition to the aforementioned aspects and features of the present invention, it should be noted that the present invention further encompasses the various logical combinations and subcombinations of such aspects and features. Thus, for example, claims in this or a divisional or continuing patent application or applications may be separately directed to any aspect, feature, or embodiment disclosed herein, or combination thereof, without requiring any other aspect, feature, or embodiment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

One or more preferred embodiments of the present invention now will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein the same elements are referred to with the same reference numerals.

FIGS. 1A-18B illustrate embodiments in accordance with one or more preferred implementations.

FIG. 19 illustrates a charm in accordance with one or more preferred implementations.

FIG. 20 illustrates rotation of a rotatable disc of the charm of FIG. 19.

FIG. 21 illustrates viewing of a cryptic message when the rotatable disc of FIG. 20 is spinning.

FIG. 22 illustrates symbols disposed on a first side of a rotatable disc.

FIG. 23 illustrates symbols disposed on a second side of the rotatable disc of FIG. 22.

FIG. 24 illustrates the combined symbols that are discernible by a person when the rotatable disc of FIG. 23 is spinning.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As a preliminary matter, it will readily be understood by one having ordinary skill in the relevant art (“Ordinary Artisan”) that the invention has broad utility and application. Furthermore, any embodiment discussed and identified as being “preferred” is considered to be part of a best mode contemplated for carrying out the invention. Other embodiments also may be discussed for additional illustrative purposes in providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. Furthermore, an embodiment of the invention may incorporate only one or a plurality of the aspects of the invention disclosed herein; only one or a plurality of the features disclosed herein; or combination thereof. As such, many embodiments are implicitly disclosed herein and fall within the scope of what is regarded as the invention.

Accordingly, while the invention is described herein in detail in relation to one or more embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is illustrative and exemplary of the invention, and is made merely for the purposes of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The detailed disclosure herein of one or more embodiments is not intended, nor is to be construed, to limit the scope of patent protection afforded the invention in any claim of a patent issuing here from, which scope is to be defined by the claims and the equivalents thereof. It is not intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention be defined by reading into any claim a limitation found herein that does not explicitly appear in the claim itself.

Thus, for example, any sequence(s) and/or temporal order of steps of various processes or methods that are described herein are illustrative and not restrictive. Accordingly, it should be understood that, although steps of various processes or methods may be shown and described as being in a sequence or temporal order, the steps of any such processes or methods are not limited to being carried out in any particular sequence or order, absent an indication otherwise. Indeed, the steps in such processes or methods generally may be carried out in various different sequences and orders while still falling within the scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the scope of patent protection afforded the invention be defined by the issued claim(s) rather than the description set forth herein.

Additionally, it is important to note that each term used herein refers to that which the Ordinary Artisan would understand such term to mean based on the contextual use of such term herein. To the extent that the meaning of a term used herein—as understood by the Ordinary Artisan based on the contextual use of such term—differs in any way from any particular dictionary definition of such term, it is intended that the meaning of the term as understood by the Ordinary Artisan should prevail.

With regard solely to construction of any claim with respect to the United States, no claim element is to be interpreted under 35 U.S.C. 112(f) unless the explicit phrase “means for” or “step for” is actually used in such claim element, whereupon this statutory provision is intended to and should apply in the interpretation of such claim element. With regard to any method claim including a condition precedent step, such method requires the condition precedent to be met and the step to be performed at least once during performance of the claimed method.

Furthermore, it is important to note that, as used herein, “a” and “an” each generally denotes “at least one”, but does not exclude a plurality unless the contextual use dictates otherwise. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having an apple” describes “a picnic basket having at least one apple” as well as “a picnic basket having apples”. In contrast, reference to “a picnic basket having a single apple” describes “a picnic basket having only one apple”.

When used herein to join a list of items, “or” denotes “at least one of the items”, but does not exclude a plurality of items of the list. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese or crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese without crackers”, “a picnic basket having crackers without cheese”, and “a picnic basket having both cheese and crackers”. When used herein to join a list of items, “and” denotes “all of the items of the list”. Thus, reference to “a picnic basket having cheese and crackers” describes “a picnic basket having cheese, wherein the picnic basket further has crackers”, as well as describes “a picnic basket having crackers, wherein the picnic basket further has cheese”.

Referring now to the drawings, one or more preferred embodiments of the invention are next described. The following description of one or more preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its implementations, or uses.

FIG. 19 illustrates a charm 10 in accordance with one or more preferred implementations. The charm 10 includes a frame 12, and a rotatable disc 14. The rotatable disc 14 includes a generally circular channel extending diametrically therethrough. The rotatable disc 14 is rotatable about a rod received within the channel that extends between opposed sides of the frame 12, as illustrated in FIG. 20.

As illustrated in FIG. 19, a first side of the rotatable disc 14 includes one or more symbols representing a portion of a cryptic message or symbol. The other side of the rotatable disc 14 includes one or more symbols representing a second portion of the cryptic message or symbol. In accordance with one or more preferred implementations, when the rotatable disc 14 is spun about the axis defined by the rod, the full cryptic message is readable or discernible by a person viewing the spinning disc 14, as illustrated in FIG. 21.

FIGS. 22-24 illustrate this effect in more detail. In particular, FIG. 22 illustrates symbols disposed on a first side of a rotatable disc, and FIG. 23 illustrates symbols disposed on a second side of the same rotatable disc. FIG. 24 illustrates the combined symbols that are discernible by a person when that same rotatable disc is spun.

FIGS. 1A-18B illustrate additional embodiments in accordance with one or more preferred implementations. In particular, FIGS. 1A-2B and FIGS. 7A-18B illustrate cryptic message portions that combine to form various cryptic messages.

In accordance with one or more preferred implementations, one or more symbols representing a portion of a cryptic message are etched, stamped, pressed, engraved, or cast. In accordance with one or more preferred implementations, one or more symbols representing a portion of a cryptic message include or are at least partially defined by one or more gemstones, as illustrated in FIGS. 13A-B.

Although illustrated and described thus far in the context of a disc shaped, or coin shaped, rotatable disc comprising two sides, in accordance with one or more preferred implementations a rotatable element having another shape, and/or more sides, is utilized. For example, a rotatable element might have a triangular cross-sectional profile and three sides, with each side comprising a portion of a cryptic message. When the rotatable element having a triangular cross-sectional profile is spun, the cryptic message is discernible by a person viewing the spinning element.

Similarly, a rotatable element might have a rectangular cross-sectional profile and four sides, a pentagonal cross-sectional profile and five sides, a hexagonal cross-sectional profile and six sides, etc. In general, a rotatable element can have n number of sides and a corresponding cross-sectional profile, with each side comprising a portion of a cryptic message.

A rotatable element can even have a circular cross-sectional shape with portions of a cryptic message spaced around the rotatable element, e.g. at various sections/angles.

Based on the foregoing description, it will be readily understood by those persons skilled in the art that the present invention has broad utility and application. Many embodiments and adaptations of the present invention other than those specifically described herein, as well as many variations, modifications, and equivalent arrangements, will be apparent from or reasonably suggested by the present invention and the foregoing descriptions thereof, without departing from the substance or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, while the present invention has been described herein in detail in relation to one or more preferred embodiments, it is to be understood that this disclosure is only illustrative and exemplary of the present invention and is made merely for the purpose of providing a full and enabling disclosure of the invention. The foregoing disclosure is not intended to be construed to limit the present invention or otherwise exclude any such other embodiments, adaptations, variations, modifications or equivalent arrangements, the present invention being limited only by the claims appended hereto and the equivalents thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A code charm containing a cryptic message only readable when spun, the code charm comprising: (a) a semi-circular frame; (b) a rod extending between opposite sides of the semi-circular frame; (c) a rotatable disc comprising a diametrical channel in which the rod is received, the rotatable disc being rotatable about an axis defined by the rod, wherein the rotatable disc comprises (i) a first side including first one or more symbols representing a first portion of the cryptic message, and (ii) a second side including second one or more symbols representing a second portion of the cryptic message, (iii) wherein when the rotatable disc is spun about the axis, for a person viewing the spinning rotatable disc, the first one or more symbols and the second one or more symbols are superimposed together allowing for discerning of the cryptic message.
 2. The code charm of claim 1, wherein the rotatable disc comprises metal.
 3. The code charm of claim 1, wherein the rotatable disc comprises a precious metal.
 4. The code charm of claim 1, wherein the rotatable disc comprises gold.
 5. The code charm of claim 1, wherein the rotatable disc comprises platinum.
 6. The code charm of claim 1, wherein the rotatable disc comprises silver.
 7. The code charm of claim 1, wherein the rotatable disc comprises aluminum.
 8. The code charm of claim 1, wherein one of the first one or more symbols comprises a gem inset therein.
 9. The code charm of claim 1, wherein the first one or more symbols are etched.
 10. The code charm of claim 1, wherein the first one or more symbols are engraved.
 11. A code charm containing a cryptic message only readable when spun, the code charm comprising: (a) a frame; (b) a rod extending between opposite sides of the frame; (c) a rotatable element comprising a diametrical channel in which the rod is received, the rotatable element being rotatable about an axis defined by the rod, wherein the rotatable element comprises a plurality of sides each including one or more symbols representing a portion of the cryptic message, wherein when the rotatable element is spun about the axis, for a person viewing the spinning rotatable element, the symbols are superimposed together allowing for discerning of the cryptic message.
 12. The code charm of claim 11, wherein the rotatable element comprises metal.
 13. The code charm of claim 11, wherein the rotatable element comprises a precious metal.
 14. The code charm of claim 11, wherein the rotatable element comprises gold.
 15. The code charm of claim 11, wherein the rotatable element comprises platinum.
 16. The code charm of claim 11, wherein the rotatable element comprises silver.
 17. The code charm of claim 11, wherein the rotatable element comprises aluminum.
 18. The code charm of claim 11, wherein one of the first one or more symbols comprises a gem inset therein.
 19. The code charm of claim 1, wherein the first one or more symbols are etched.
 20. The code charm of claim 1, wherein the first one or more symbols are engraved. 